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Game Time: 7 o’clock | TV: ESPN2 | Location: FSU

Florida State and NC State square off tonight as the Seminoles look to remain undefeated at home. The Wolfpack are trying to gain a big road win to shock some much-needed life into their season. What are the keys to the game for NC State?

The Pack must give themselves a chance tonight by winning the hustle battle.

Florida State is the superior team as evident by their 20-4 record; however; NC State, has a fighter’s chance if they control the boards. The Noles and the Pack are even in RPG at 37. The Wolfpack must be aggressive attacking the glass on both ends of the court, especially securing the defensive glass. Florida State’s offense is potent and cannot be allowed extra possessions as a result of offensive rebounds. NC State’s defense has struggled mightily but needs to help themselves by rebounding the basketball. Abu and company will need to put a body on every FSU player as they are too long and athletic to out jump for rebounds. In each of FSU’s four losses this season, they have lost the rebounding battle.

NC State will need to keep turnovers to a minimum as Florida State excels at creating easy offense off turnovers.

The Pack has been solid offensively the past two games averaging 1.25 points per possession but has nothing to show for it. Florida State is among the best at creating turnovers as opponents are averaging 15.2 a game. NC State will need to handle FSU’s pressure defense as they extend their defense beyond the three-point line to disrupt teams offensive flow. Teams can beat the Noles off the dribble because of their aggressive defensive tactics; however, they are solid at their help-side rotations. The Pack must attack the paint to draw help-side defenders and not hesitate at getting rid of the ball. Florida State recovers quickly on defense which is why NC State must be decisive. The Wolfpack has players capable of getting to the paint it is just a matter of not settling for contested jump shots.

The Wolfpack must be ready to defend in transition.

Florida State is great in the open court as they have guys who run the floor hard looking to score. Dwayne Bacon and company are capable of scoring quickly off of teams makes or misses. Wolfpack guards will need to get back defensively if they don’t FSU will be shooting layups all night. NC State cannot afford to celebrate any made shots because the Noles will push the ball up the court to take advantage.

A road matchup aginst a team that is undefeated at home presents quite the challenge as well as an opportunity for NC State. The Wolfpack have a chance to notch another big win on the road. They desperately need a good effort tonight to gain some confidence to finish the season on a positive note. Can NC State hang with the Noles tonight at 7 o’clock? Tune into ESPN2 to find out.

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Tarhater
Tarhater
7 years ago

As Scooby Doo says all the time “Rut row Shaggy!” This is a terrible match up for the Wuffies. Big guards who shoot the 3 ball really well and a defense that creates lots of turnovers. DS,jr NBA audition could even hit a wall tonight as the Noles throw a lot of bodies at him to create even more chaos on the court. If we can get Mav, Hendu and Abu going we might have a chance.Don’t bet the mortgage

NC State Basketball

An NC State Win Over Marquette in the Sweet 16 Would Be…

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Awesome. Obviously.

#11 seed NC State will play #2 seed Marquette tomorrow night in the Sweet 16. What would a win mean for the Wolfpack? Many things, but here’s just a few:

It would give NC State 25 wins on the year (25-14), which would be the most wins since 1982-83, when the Wolfpack went 26-10, winning the National Championship.

It would mark the 12th time in school history that NC State has won 25+ games in a single season.

1982-83 – 26-10 

1973-74 – 30-1 

1972-73 – 27-0 

1954-55 – 28-4 

1953-54 – 26-7

1952-53 – 26-6 

1950-51 – 30-7 

1949-50 – 27-6 

1948-49 – 25-8 

1947-48 – 29-3

1946-47- 26-5

It would be the 7th time NC State has advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.

1950

1951

1974

1983

1985

1986

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NC State Basketball

NC State has Won 5 ACC Championships this Year

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NC State has won 5 ACC Championships this year, which is the most of any athletic program in the conference this year.

The Wolfpack has won ACC Titles in Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Men’s Basketball and Gymnastics.

The last time NC State won 5 ACC Championships in one year was 1979-80.

As far as I can tell, here’s a look at the Wolfpack Conference Titles from 1979-80:

Football
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Cross Country
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s Tennis

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NC State Basketball

NC State is 1 of 4 Schools to Have Both Men & Women’s Basketball Teams in Sweet 16

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NC State is 1 of 4 schools to have their Men and Women’s Basketball teams BOTH advance to the Sweet 16, along with Duke, Gonzaga and UCONN.

NC State and Duke are the only two schools in the country to send both Basketball teams to the Sweet 16, and also send the Football team to a bowl game.

This marks only the third time in school history that BOTH teams made the Sweet 16.

Years NC State’s Men & Women’s Teams Made the Sweet 16

1985
1989
2024

Despite the fact that the Men’s team has made the Elite 8 six times (1950, 1951, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1986), and the Women have made it 2 times (1998 & 2022), in the three occasions they both went to the Sweet 16 in the same year, neither team advanced to the Elite 8.

In 2024, Why Not Us?

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NC State Basketball

#3 seed NC State Holds on Against #6 Seed Tennessee, Defeating the Vols 79-72 to Advance to the Sweet 16

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#3 seed NC State held on last night, defeating #6 seed Tennessee 79-72 in Reynolds Coliseum to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 5th time in the last 6 tournaments.

The Wolfpack led by only 1 after the 1st Quarter, but they looked like they had things under control at halftime, leading by 18 points.

At one point, NC State led by as much as 20 points in the 3rd Quarter, but the Lady Volunteers weren’t about to give up.

With 4:19 left in the 4th, Tennessee cut the lead to 2 points, but NC State might have bent, but they wouldn’t break.

Junior Guard Aziaha James led the way with 22 points and 7 assists, which were both team highs. She scored 7 points in the final 3.5 minutes, helping to squash tue Last Vols’ comeback attempt.

Junior Guard Saniya Rivers had 20 points (6-14 FG) and 6 boards.

Freshman Zoe Brooks was clutch off the bench, chipping in 16 points and 6 boards.

This marks the 16th time the NC State Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16.

The Wolfpack will play #2 seed Stanford on Friday night at 7:30pm on ESPN in Portland.

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